Have you ever used biofeedback? You may not realize what biofeedback is or how beneficial it can be. Most people do not understand that they use biofeedback techniques almost everyday. For example, have you ever used a mirror? A mirror is a common form of biofeedback. You could not do a good job of putting on make up, shaving, combing your hair, or learning how to make a face without the feedback of your reflection from the mirror. This is a simple form of biofeedback.

Biofeedback is the use of equipment or techniques that can feed back to you information about what is going on inside or outside your body. If you use this information to adjust your activity then you are using biofeedback. Any system in your body that be actually monitored can be controlled! You can learn to control your heart rate, blood pressure, even your perspiration with biofeedback training.

In the 1970’s biofeedback gained some attention when researchers demonstrated that brainwave activity (electrical activity on the surface of the brain) could be controlled by the process of learning from the feedback given by an EEG (electroencephalograph). In a normal waking state of consciousness, the surface of the brain in a normal person has what is known as a “Beta” rhythm brainwave state which is measured at 13-20 hertz per second. In a relaxed or meditative state known as “Alpha” the electrical activity is measured at 8-12 hertz per second. This was identified a “quiet mind” or Meditative state that was relaxing for most people. Using the EEG feedback training you can learn to “slow” your brainwaves into the “alpha” state with conscious control. In the 1970’s this triggered an alternative therapy, with people visiting biofeedback brainwave labs to learn to control their brainwaves, and so, their consciousness.

Since the 1970’s, biofeedback has grown more practical and accepted in traditional medical practices as a way to gain awareness and then control of stress related symptoms. Since 1977 in my private practice, I have had medical referrals, and good success, in working with: Migraine headaches, tension headaches, high blood pressure, insomnia, panic/anxiety, chronic neck/back pain, stress related abdominal complaints, irregular heartbeats, poor peripheral circulation, some forms of sexual dysfunction, poor focus, test taking or performance anxiety, some dental complaints like TMJ syndrome, and many other symptoms that are either created or made worse as a response to stress.

The common forms of biofeedback that I use with medical referrals are: EMG (electromyography) for muscle tension, Temperature training for poor peripheral blood flow, EDR/GSR (electrodermal response/ Galvanic skin response) for controlling sweat gland activity/perspiration, heart rate training, and blood pressure. With a program of regular relaxation training, you can create awareness regarding the way you habitually hold tension and learn to “let go” of this stress. There have been profound results. For example, I had 45 year old registered nurse who had been suffering with migraine headaches for 25 years. These headaches had gotten worse and she reported having up to 3 per week. These headaches were so severe that she was distracted at work and could not focus on the medication that she was giving to her patients. Amazingly, with the use of temperature training biofeedback and the daily use of Autogenic training phrases for relaxation, she was able to prevent most of headaches within 4 weeks of practice.

Biofeedback training using EMG by physical therapists have offered profound results for people requiring neuro-muscular retraining after suffering a stroke (CVA) or in some cases traumatic injuries to the brain or central nervous system.

If you have symptoms or complaints that are not well controlled by medication, or if you wish to have an alternative way to control these symptoms without the side effects and expense of medication, discuss the use of biofeedback with your physician and contact a biofeedback therapist in your area to see if this might be worth the investment of your time, energy, and probably your money. Biofeedback offers you the information, and with practice, the control of your body’s habitual response to stress. With your motivation, you can learn to “get back in control.”

Please remember to take good care of yourself.

L. John Mason, Ph.D. is the author of the best selling “Guide to Stress Reduction.” Since 1977, he has offered Executive Coaching and Training.

Please visit the Stress Education Center’s website at dstress.com dstress.com for articles, free ezine signup, and learn about the stress management CD’s that Dr. Mason has developed. If you would like information or a targeted proposal for training or coaching, please contact us at (707) 795-2228.

If you are looking to promote your training or coaching career, please investigate the Professional Stress Management Training and Certification Program for a secondary source of income or as career path.

Tags: anxiety, Hair, Heart, perspiration

Related posts

• Adrenal Fatigue and How to Beat It (0)
• What is Healthy? (0)
• What Are The Side Effect Of Steroids? (0)
• Using Weight Loss Drugs Helped Me to Diet Safely (0)
• Understanding the Menopause - Helpful Tips (0)

Tags: anxiety, Hair, Heart, perspiration

While the controversy regarding medicating children with Attention Deficit Disorder continues, many parents are seeking alternative approaches to treatment. There is no doubt that various natural remedies have proven beneficial. This is especially true for those who are against consuming an assortment of man-made chemicals and prescription drugs filled with possible side effects.

Herbal remedies and treatments have been used for centuries to ease symptoms, boost the immune system and energy, restore a system balance and promote strength in the body. Depending on the type of herb you select as a treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder, you may encounter a wide range of dosing forms. To get the most out of an herb, a dosage may come in the form of an oral solution, pill, capsule, tablet, infusion, tincture, spray, tea bag or suppository.

Using herbal treatments for ADD patients means that you will focus on the particular symptoms associated with the disorder. When you are interested in trying a more natural approach towards combating Attention Deficit Disorder, you may consider the following herbal options:

Inability to Relax

The restlessness, poor attention span, constant chattering and irritability associated with Attention Deficit Disorder may show signs of improvement through herbal remedies. ADD patients may try the essential oil and flowers of Roman chamomile (good for overexcitement) or lavender (sedative), as well as gotu kola (relaxes the nervous system).

Anxiety

To conquer the inability to relax, emotional instability and sleeplessness, you may turn to the pasque flower (sedates nervous tension), skullcap (restores the central nervous system), wood betony (has a calming and sedative nature), linden flowers (reduces nervous tension) or vervain. Some of the forms to look for in these herbs include tinctures, infusions and powdered capsules.

Depression

When the inability to concentrate leads to depression, some Attention Deficit Disorder patients have found comfort when using the leaves and essential oil of basil (lifts the spirits), borage leaves (eases depression), oats and damiana (antidepressant). Eating oatmeal, drinking borage juice, eating fresh basil leaves and creating tinctures and infusions are just some of the ways to treat ADD depression.

Insomnia

When falling asleep or achieving a restful night becomes a hard task to complete, wild lettuce leaves, passionflower leaves, hops flowers and Californian poppy can treat the over-excitement, anxiety and worry associated with Attention Deficit Disorder. Infusions and tinctures taken before bedtime help to ease these symptoms of ADD.

Stress

Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder can be quite a stressful thing for both children and adults to deal with. The body may become run down and tired or an individual might not be able to relax or stand still. Siberian ginseng root, the stem of asafoetida and German chamomile flowers can relieve stress, calm nerves and treat nervous excitability. Siberian ginseng is available in pill, capsule or tablet form, while asafetida and German chamomile make great infusions and tinctures.

Matt Colvin is a writer that enjoys digging into interesting topics, for more info on ADD please visit his website at thatweb.info thatweb.info

Tags: anxiety, herbal remedies, sleep

Related posts

• Natural Cures for Depression: Exploring What Works When It Comes to Herbal Remedies for Depression (0)
• Menopause Weight Gain - Why It Happens and What You Can Do About It (0)
• Is There a Safe and Effective Cure for Hot Flashes? (0)
• Herbs and Manic Depression (0)
• Herbal Remedies for PMS Can Work! (0)

Tags: anxiety, herbal remedies, sleep

Since ancient times our ancestor’s harvested the many herbs and spices that grew wild around them, mixed potions, and treated ailments. Man was after all a hunter-gatherer, and an omnivore, (an organism which gets its food energy from both plant and animal material).

The humble herb and spice rack in your kitchen today need not be just a decorative feature, although they look quite pleasing to the eye hanging on the wall, in both modern and old fashioned styled homes. They can in fact hold a plethora of natural healing ingredients that can also add great taste to the foods you eat every day.

Of all the herbs and spices you can choose from for flavour, there are 15 that are more powerful than the rest. Below is the list and you may well be surprised to learn of the many diverse conditions for which they’ve proven so very useful.

1/. BASIL Basil is an herbal carminative, that is, it can relieve gas and soothe stomach upsets. One possible explanation for its calming effect is a compound called eugenol, which has been shown to help ease muscle spasms. Research is still preliminary, but laboratory studies also suggest that compounds found in basil may help disrupt the dangerous chain of events that can lead to the development of cancer

2/. CAYENNE Cayenne pepper is a hot red powder made from tropical chilli peppers. It contains alkaloid capsaicin, which relieves pain by blocking the chemicals that send pain messages to the brain. If you eat cayenne at the first sign of any type of headache, with plenty of water as a chaser, this spicy herb may be an effective alternative treatment. Added to food, cayenne perks up appetite, improves digestion and relieves gas, nausea, and indigestion. The herb also thins phlegm and eases its passage from the lungs, thus helping to prevent and treat coughs, colds and bronchitis.

3/. CINNAMON Cinnamon bark contains an oily chemical called cinnamaldehyde that kills a variety of illness causing bacteria, including the dreaded E.coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureas. Research shows that cinnamon is also able to stop the growth of the Asian flu virus. Herbalists report that cinnamon bark also helps regulate the menstrual cycle and checks flooding during menopause. Also cinnamaldehyde has a tranquilizing effect that helps reduce anxiety and stress.

4/. CLOVE Oil of clove is 60 to 90 percent eugenol. A potent pain deadening antimicrobal. Clove has earned the official endorsement of the FDA as an effective stopgap measure for tooth pain. Clove is also among the spices that can help the body use insulin more effectively, thus lowering blood sugar somewhat. In one lab study, clove was also found to speed healing of the dreaded cold sores.

5/. DILL Dill has been used to soothe the digestive tract and treat heartburn, colic and gas for thousands of years. In fact, the word dill comes from the Old Norse word dilla, meaning to lull or soothe. The herb has an antifoaming action that suggests why it might help break up gas bubbles. Like parsley, dill is rich in chlorophyll, which also makes it useful in treating bad breath.

6/. FENNEL Rich in volatile oils, fennel is what’s known as a carminative herb, meaning that it can ease bloating, gas pains, and digestive spasms in the small and large intestines. Fennel can also reduce bad breath and body odour that originates in the intestines. Women who are breastfeeding may find that fennel, which works in a way similar to the body’s hormones, increases milk flow.

7/. GARLIC Intact garlic cloves contain an odourless, sulphur-containing amino acid called alliin. When the garlic is crushed, alliin becomes allicin. Research shows that allicin helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure and also helps prevents blood clots. Garlic can also reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Compounds in this familiar bulb kill many organisms, including bacteria and viruses that cause earaches, flu and colds. Research indicates that garlic is also effective against digestive ailments and diarrhoea. What’s more, further studies suggest that this common and familiar herb may help prevent the onset of cancers.

8/. GINGER When it comes to quelling the queasiness of motion sickness, ginger has no equal say herbalists. In fact, researchers have demonstrated that ginger beats dimenhydrate, the main ingredient in motion sickness drugs such as Dramamine, for controlling symptoms of seasickness and motion sickness. Ginger stimulates saliva flow and digestive activity, settles the stomach, relieves vomiting, eases pain from gas and diarrhoea, and is effective as an anti-nausea remedy. This aromatic herb also helps lower cholesterol. Herbalists have also found it to be useful as a pain reliever.

9/. MINT Herbalists the world over use mint, as a premier stomach tonic, to counteract nausea and vomiting, promote digestion, calm stomach muscle spasms, relieve flatulence, and ease hiccups. Menthol, the aromatic oil in peppermint, also relaxes the airways and fights bacteria and viruses. Menthol interferes with the sensation from pain receptors, thus it may be useful in reducing headache pain. Scientific evidence suggests that peppermint can kill many kinds of micro-organisms, and may boost mental alertness. In one study, people who inhaled menthol said they felt as if it relieved their nasal congestion, although it didn’t increase their measurable airflow.

10/. OREGANO Oregano contains at least four compounds that soothe coughs and 19 chemicals with antibacterial action that may help reduce body odour. The ingredients in oregano that soothe coughs may also help un-knot muscles in the digestive tract, making oregano a digestive aid. This familiar spice also contains compounds that can lower blood pressure too.

11/. PARSLEY Diuretic herbs such as parsley prevent problems such as kidney stones and bladder infections and keep our body’s plumbing running smoothly by causing it to produce more urine. They also relieve bloating during menstruation. Also there’s a reason for that parsley on the edge of the diner plate, its not just there for fancy decoration; it’s an effective breath freshener because it contains high levels of chlorophyll.

12/. ROSEMARY Rosemary is one of the richer herbal sources of antioxidants, which have been shown to prevent cataracts, and contains 19 chemicals with antibacterial action that help fight infection. Traditionally used to ease asthma, this common culinary ingredient has volatile oils that can reduce the airway constriction induced by histamine, that chemical culprit of asthma and other allergy symptoms. Herbalists think that rosemary may also help ease breast pain by acting as a natural drying agent to fluid filled cysts.

13/. SAGE The oils found in sage are both antiseptic and antibiotic, so it can help fight infections. Sage is effective for symptoms of menopause, night sweats and hot flashes, because of its estrogenic action and because its tannins can dry up perspiration. There’s also compelling evidence that sage may b of value to people with diabetes for whom the hormone insulin does not work as efficiently as it should. Lab studies indicate that sage may boost insulin’s action.

14/. THYME Thyme contains thymol, which increases blood-flow to the skin. The warmth is comforting, and some herbalists believe that the increased blood-flow speeds healing. An anti-spasmodic. Thyme relaxes respiratory muscles and is endorsed for treating bronchitis by Commission E, the expert panel that judges the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicines for the German government. Aromatherapists say that thyme’s scent is a mood lifter.

15/. TURMERIC Many clinical studies agree that curcumin in turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects, including a significant beneficial effect in relieving rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Curcumin, which gives this spice its familiar yellow pigment, may also lower cholesterol. Turmeric is also packed with antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, which have been shown to prevent cataracts.

Passed down to us by our forefathers and countless generations throughout the world, these 15 food additives and enhancers are just a selected few that are currently known to have medicinal and beneficial properties, yet represent the more commonly used. By including these herbs and spices into your daily cooking or diet on a regular basis, you will greatly enhance your quality of life, and reduce the need for those expensive, and often damaging pharmaceutical drugs.

To your continued good health

John Elliott aka Oaky Wood is the co-founder of The Corner 4 Women thecorner4women.com thecorner4women.com is a poet, writer, artist, webmaster and designer.

Tags: antioxidant, anxiety, asthma, cholesterol, diet, Heart, hiccup, menopause, perspiration, quality of life

Related posts

• Want An Anti-Aging Vitamin or Want to fight Alzheimer’s? Vitamin E Has Great Promise! Read Why (0)
• Walnuts- Small Portions, Big Health Rewards (0)
• Vitamin E (0)
• Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) - The Heroic Antioxidant (0)
• Rejuvenate Your Heart in Nine Simple Steps (0)

Tags: antioxidant, anxiety, asthma, cholesterol, diet, Heart, hiccup, menopause, perspiration, quality of life

Many phobias have their roots in childhood. It could be something you were scared of as a child, both real or imagined. Fear of the dark, fear of spider, fear of the unknown - these are all common childhood fears and they all have adult phobias associated with them. These types of fears are normal for children, but they can cause problems when they remain with us into adulthood.

A phobia is defined as an irrational dread, terror or fear that occurs during a relatively benign situation. Many people realize their fears are unfounded and irrational for the situation, but they are not able to overcome them.

Some of the common symptoms of phobias include:

Racing heartrate
Shortness of breath
Sweaty hands
The urge to flee

If left unchecked, a phobia can gradually get worse, resulting in more serious problems like anxiety disorders, panic attacks and extreme stress.

Severe phobias can have a negative affect on your day-to-day life. They can develop into social disorders, where a person avoid social contact for fear of their phobia being set off. They can also cause you to miss out on many great experiences.

For example, a person who has a fear of heights may never get to see the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower or the Grand Canyon. They may never travel far from home because they are unwilling to get on an airplane.

Phobias can be overcome with methods of dealing with the underlying fears. The way you’ve responded to something in the past doesn’t have to be the way you do so now or in the future.

If you’re dealing with an irrational fear and just are not able to overcome it, it would be wise to discuss it with your doctor or another qualified medical professional. They can offer some insight into the causes and offer the most effective treatment, given your particular situation.

Shane Baxter writes about anxiety and panic disorders such as

Tags: anxiety, Heart

Related posts

• Zenerx Makes Available Impotence Treatment For Men (0)
• Your Eight Hormones and Weight Loss (0)
• Your Body Responds to What You Think: Think Lemon! (0)
• Why it is Important to Keep Active (0)
• Why Is Malignant Hypertension So Serious? (0)

Tags: anxiety, Heart